Big news for the shores of the Gowanus Canal: NYC development firm The Lightstone Group intends to develop the old Gowanus Toll Brothers site, between the Gowanus Canal, Bond Street, Carroll Street and Second Street. Someone from Community Board Six tells us that at the last land-use meeting, “It was announced that a developer has stepped forward and is planning to build 700 units on the formerly Toll Brothers’ Gowanus site. The developer didn’t speak before the committee… They have approached [District Manager] Craig Hammerman and will first meet with Craig, Peter Fleming the committee chair and Daniel Kummer the board chair. They will be seeking more allowances that will demand a ULURP hearing. I think they will be seeking more height in a trade for 20 percent affordable.” Craig Hammerman confirmed the Lightstone Group wants to develop the site but said he had no more specifics. However, the developers are expected to bring a formal land-use action to Community Board Six for public review this fall. And the board asked that the developers brief CB6 and the community on their plans during the next meeting on Thursday, August 23rd. “What we’ve heard so far raises a lot of questions,” Hammerman said, “And right now we have an information vacuum that we can hopefully fill with facts.” Toll Brothers scrapped the plans for a massive, 605,380-square-foot development after the Gowanus Canal was designated a superfund site. According to public records, the land hasn’t transferred over to a new entity. Of course, it’s worth noting that it will take a minimum of ten years to relieve the Gowanus Canal of its Superfund status.
Toll Brothers Sued Over Gowanus Acquisition [Brownstoner]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. This is terrible news. No sooner have we gotten the horrible, overheight eyestore on Carroll Street taken down and kept to the height restrictions, then a company is going to come and create buildings 1/2 a block away that are so much taller? Please, Craig, don’t let them do this. This would really, really be horrible for this neighborhood.

  2. This is terrible news. No sooner have we gotten the horrible, overheight eyestore on Carroll Street taken down and kept to the height restrictions, then a company is going to come and create buildings 1/2 a block away that are so much taller? Please, Craig, don’t let them do this. This would really, really be horrible for this neighborhood.

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